Filenews 8 August 2022
Answers to a series of questions concerning the vaccine for monkey smallpox are published by the Ministry of Health. It is reminded that in our country 3 cases of the disease have been detected so far, mobilizing the competent authorities.
-What is the vaccine against monkey smallpox and what is it used for?
The vaccine against monkey smallpox is a vaccine used to protect against smallpox in adults. It contains a weakened form of the heifer virus called the "modified Ankara-type heifer virus" and associated with the smallpox virus. Smallpox was officially declared as eliminated in 1980, with the last known case of the disease being recorded in 1977. This vaccine will be used in cases where it is considered necessary to protect against smallpox in accordance with official recommendations. the vaccine against monkey smallpox can also be used to protect adults from monkey pox and the disease caused by the heifer virus.
-How is the vaccine against monkey smallpox used?
The vaccine against monkey smallpox is administered by subcutaneous injection, preferably in the upper part of the arm. People who have not previously been vaccinated against smallpox, monkey smallpox or the disease caused by the heifer virus should receive two doses of 0.5 ml, with the second dose being administered at least 28 days after the first. If necessary, the administration of a booster dose to people who have been vaccinated in the past should be administered as a single dose of 0.5 ml. People with weakened immune systems (the body's natural defences) who should receive a booster dose should receive two doses, with the second dose administered at least 28 days after the first. The vaccine can only be obtained with a prescription. For more information on the use of monkey smallpox vaccine, see the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.
-How does the vaccine work against monkey smallpox?
Vaccines work in preparation for the body to defend itself against a disease. When the vaccine is administered to a person, the immune system recognizes the virus in the vaccine as a "foreign" body and produces antibodies against it. When the person is re-exposed to similar viruses, the vaccine against monkey smallpox (live modified Ankara-type heifer virus) these antibodies, in combination with other components of the immune system, will be able to exterminate the viruses and help protect against the disease. the vaccine against monkey smallpox prepares the body to defend itself against infection with smallpox viruses, monkey smallpox and heifer. It contains a weakened form of the heifer virus called the "modified Ankara-type heifer virus", a virus that is closely associated with the viruses of smallpox and smallpox of monkeys, but is not disease-causing for humans and cannot reproduce in human cells. Due to the similarity between the virus of the vaccine against monkey smallpox and these viruses, the antibodies produced against this virus are expected to provide protection against monkey smallpox, smallpox and the heifer virus.
-What are the benefits of the vaccine against monkey smallpox according to the studies?
The studies showed that the vaccine against monkey smallpox is effective in activating the production of antibodies at a level capable of providing protection against smallpox. Five main studies were carried out. The studies involved more than 2,000 adults, including patients with HIV and atopic dermatitis (a skin condition with concomitant itching caused by an overactive immune system) and people who had previously been vaccinated against smallpox. Two of the studies specifically looked at the effectiveness of the vaccine against monkey smallpox as a booster dose of a vaccine. A subsequent study, involving 433 people who had not been vaccinated before, found that the level of protective antibodies after vaccination with the monkey pox vaccine was at least as high as that provided by a conventional smallpox vaccine. The duration of protection is not yet known. Data from various animal studies have shown protection against monkey smallpox in non-human primates that have been vaccinated with the monkey smallpox vaccine and subsequently exposed to monkey smallpox virus. vaccine against monkey smallpox is also expected to provide protection against the disease caused by the heifer virus, since the vaccine is based on a modified version of the heifer virus.
-What are the risks associated with the vaccine against monkey smallpox?
The most common side effects of the vaccine against monkey smallpox (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are headache, nausea, myalgia (muscle pain), fatigue and reactions at the injection site (pain, redness, swelling, hardening and itching).
The monkey smallpox vaccine must not be given to patients who are hypersensitive (allergic) to the active substance or to traces of any substance in the vaccine, such as hens proteins, benzonase and gentamicin. For the full list of side effects and restrictions, please consult the package leaflet.
